Prepare for the Rain with the National Weather Service

Are you ready for rain?

The National Weather Service tells us the first significant rain event of the year is expected to arrive this morning and should continue through tomorrow, with intensities capable of causing flooding near creeks and across roadways. Measurable snow is forecast to fall as low as the Big Bear Valley, especially on Friday when the storm gets colder. Saturday and most of Sunday should be dry, but a slow-moving storm is heading our way Sunday afternoon through Tuesday.

The County Office of Emergency Services on Tuesday led an early start on preparations by conducting a coordination call with first responders, who had already begun putting resources in place:

• County Public Works had placed crews on standby and pre-positioned equipment at county yards in the mountain and valley areas. The department will monitor the storm in real time around-the-clock.
• County Fire planned to have sandbags at all fire stations and sandpiles at several locations. Plans were in place to station swift-water rescue teams in Fontana and the Cajon Pass. Hand crews and bulldozers are also at the ready.
• The Sheriff’s Department planned to make contact with residents experiencing homelessness in county riverbeds and employ aerial public address announcements if necessary.
• County volunteer forces are on standby and ready to deploy if needed.

The county will also advise residents throughout Southern California that snow play in the roadway in San Bernardino County is prohibited, and enhanced enforcement will ensure violators are fined.

You can protect your loved ones by joining us at Preparedness Starts Here, our one-stop website with vital readiness information for floods, snow, earthquakes, and other disasters known to affect San Bernardino County.

Residents are urged to sign up for emergency notifications, download the Ready SB County app, make a plan, assemble an emergency kit, and maintain a two-week supply of food, water, and medications.